Lifeline Providers

Are you looking for Lifeline providers of free phone service?  I have plenty of content on this site relating to this government sponsored program for eligible low income households.  If you haven't already, you can learn more about the program and how it works by visiting Free Cell Phone Service.  That page even contains free options from non-Lifeline carriers.Free Cell Phone Lifeline Providers

After hearing from visitors to this site, I came to understand that having an easy way to quickly compare Lifeline services is a real need.  Please note that offers from a given provider do vary from state to state, however, they typically do have an overarching baseline offer.  I've captured these plans in the table below to help you in your research.  Also note that Lifeline service providers do not offer their program in every state across the country (even though they do have nationwide cellular coverage).  They are, however, continually expanding to new states, so definitely check their website for eligible locations.  Once you've narrowed down your preference to two or three providers, you can check out their website to verify that they offer their program in your area.

Consider the following when comparing Lifeline providers:

  • How many voice minutes are included?
  • How many text messages are included?
  • Can I get a free smartphone?
  • Can I bring my own smartphone (BYOD)?
  • Can I buy a smartphone directly from the provider?
  • Is the smartphone offer different for existing versus new customers?
  • How much data is included?
  • Can I purchase additional minutes, text messages, and data if I run out?
  • Offers vary by state; what are the offers available to me?
 
Lifeline Provider Free Services Network Support BYOD Notes
Access Wireless
i-wireless Access Wireless
100 voice minutes
Unlimited texts
500MB data
Sprint Y(?)
  • Runs on Sprint network.
  • Can purchase smartphone upgrade.
  • Y(?) - Their website has no official BYOD info, however, people have noted being able to activate compatible phones.
Assurance Wireless
Virgin Mobile Assurance Wireless
See Access Wireless Sprint N
  • Merging with Access. Offering the same plans. Not yet clear if Assurance brand will be discontinued.
Assist WirelessAssist Wireless Lifeline 500 voice minutes
500 texts
Sprint
T-Mobile
Y
  • Can purchase additional minutes & texts, and data ranging from $1-$40 per month.
Blue Jay Wireless
Blue Jay Wireless Lifeline
250-Unlimited voice minutes
Unlimited texts
500MB data
Sprint
Verizon
N
  • Can pay extra for additional plan options.
  • Offer ability to pay for upgraded phone.
Budget Mobile Lifeline Free Cell Phone
Service Discontinued April 2017
500 voice minutes
500 texts
500MB data
Verizon TBD
  • Free smartphone available in some states.
Cintex Wireless
Cintex Wireless Lifeline
Now part of StandUP Wireless
500 voice minutes
Unlimited texts
T-Mobile N
  • Free smartphone
  • Have to purchase data; $5 for 200MB, or $10 for 500MB
C Spire Lifeline Credit $9.25 monthly credit C Spire N
  • Credit applies only to postpaid calling plans.
Easy Wireless
Easy Wireless Lifeline Free Cell Phone
250-1,000 voice minutes
250-1,000 texts
25-500MB data
Sprint Y
  • Offer data option add-ons when data is not included.
enTouch Wireless
enTouch Wireless Lifeline
100 to Unlimited voice minutes
100 to Unlimited texts
10MB-750MB Data
Sprint Y
  • Can purchase additional service as needed.
GCI Wireless
GCI Wireless Lifeline
Unlimited voice
Unlimited text
500 min long distance
1GB data
1GB TurboZone WiFi
GCI N
  • $1/month charge
  • Alaska only program
  • Smartphones available
Life Wireless Lifeline
1,250 to Unlimited voice minutes
Unlimited texts
250-500MB data
AT&T N
  • Offer 3 different plans.
  • MMS & SMS are treated as different allocations.
Q Link Wireless Lifeline Free Cell Phone
68-500 minutes
1 min = 8 text messages
carryover
Sprint N
  • Offer different plans, which vary by state.
SafeLink Wireless
Unlimited voice
Unlimited texts
500MB data
Sprint
Verizon
AT&T
T-Mobile
Y
  • Free smartphone
StandUP Wireless Lifeline
Unlimited voice
Unlimited texts
Sprint
Verizon
AT&T
T-Mobile
N
  • Don't appear to offer smartphones.
750 minutes
Unlimited texts
1GB data (but varies by State)
T-Mobile
Sprint
Verizon
Y
  • Free smartphone, but don't guarantee what phone type you'll receive.
Tempo Lifeline Free Cell Phone
150 or 250 minutes
3 texts = 1 min
1MB data = 2 min
Sprint N
  • Free feature phone.
  • 150 min plan includes rollover of unused minutes.
Terracom Wireless
TerraCom Wireless Lifeline
500-1,000 voice
Unlimited texts
Sprint
Verizon
Y
  • Offer free smartphone.
  • Can upgrade to get data.
TruConnect
TruConnect Lifeline
Unlimited voice
Unlimited texts
200 talk minutes to Mexico
1GB data if BYOD
Sprint
AT&T
Y
  • Free smartphone in CA.
True Wireless
True Wireless Lifeline
500 voice minutes
500 text messages
500MB data
Sprint
Verizon
AT&T
T-Mobile
N
  • Smartphones are available.
  • Can buy additional services.
US Connect Mobile
US Connect Mobile Lifeline Agent
500 voice minutes
Unlimited texts
Sprint
Verizon
T-Mobile
N
  • Offer a number of topup options if you need extra services.
  • May have changed their name to Cell Span, Inc. Both old & new websites are down. Wil update when their issue is resolved!
MyLifelineJobs.com
MyLifelineJobs
n/a n/a n/a
  • A portal to various Lifeline programs; doesn't note which programs though.

Lifeline Providers

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